Michael Coxon has taken the lead in the NSW 18ft Skiff Championship after scoring an easy victory in the second heat of the series on Sydney Harbour yesterday (14 November).

Coxon steered Casio Seapathfinder to a 1 minute 21 second win over Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) with Omega Smeg (Daniel Phillips) a further 1m37s back in third place.

Casio has scored 2.75 points from the two heats sailed so far, with Omega Smeg next on 3.75, Rag & Famish 9 and Computer Associates (Anthony Young) 11.

Conditions were chaotic for competitors as the wind varied in both strength and direction throughout the race.

Casio was near the lead from the start and staged a great battle with Asko Appliances (Hugh Stodart) for the first lap of the course.

Coxon and his crew of Aaron Links and Nathan Ellis were superb in selecting the correct course as the wind swung 180 degrees from the West to the East.

Rag & Famish had trailed the fleet to the halfway mark but came through the pack when Harris elected to sail the southern shore on the third windward leg of the course.

Nobody was able to challenge the boat speed or tactics by the Casio crew as they recorded their impressive win.